The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-12-21
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.,

keepers and gaugers at Chicago.
HOUSE OF EPRESEN rATIVES.
The Speaker ann ounced the appointment
OF the Committee on Rules as follows: Toe
Speaker, Messrs. Randall, Mills, Reed and
Cannon.
Mr. Dibble, of South Carolina, offered a
resolution referring to the Committee on
Approx Tiations, the reports OF the Court OF
Claims on the French spoliaLion claims,
with instructions to that committee to re-
port all claims which have been decided
favs rably to the claimants In the general
deficiency bill.
Mr.. BlOunt, Of Georgia, objected to in.
strucfing q committee TO report back
claims which would involve millions of
dollars before the resolution containing
such Instructions had been considered by
Mr. Randall coincideH IN this view and
suel ested that the resolution be referred
to Il Committe on Claims.
M. Dibble said that the amount in
V0lVed IN the spoliation claims was vsri.
oUsly estimated a. from 50, DOC, coo TO $780,
100000 According to the best estimate he
could make, the amount involved was
about $4,000 600. The amount involved
in his resolution YVES only S44S 600. Bat,
il the Government owed the claimants the
money, as had been decided by the Court
Of Claims, the question of amount was of
secondary importance.
Mr.. Blount could see no reason why these
claims should be placed in any more favor
able position than any other claims, since
the act referring the spoliation claims to
the Court Of Claims expressly declared that
the report of the court should not be con-
sidered in the light OF judgment, but
merely as advisory TO Congress.
Mr.. Dibblp daDiad that fhpro anu-
thing in the resolution to commit toe
House to favorable. action in the matter Of
these claims
MIR. Reed Of Maine, supported the reso-
luton. Congress had referred the claims
to court for judicial escertsinment, and
the court had decided that in certain cases
the United States was liable. It seemed to
him that after having kept the claimants
waiting for nearly eighty years, Congress
ought now to make no more dilatory oppo-
sition TO the claims, but ought to come
sluarsly up to the yes or no answer.
Mr. Springer, of illinois, regarded the
II solution as interfering with the orderly
procedure of the House, siSce it took away
the rightful jurisdiction of the Committee
on Claims and conferred the jurisdiction
upon the Committee on Appropriations.
There was no more reason why these claims
should go to the Committee on Appropria-
tions than that the claims reported to Con-
gress, under the provisions Of the Glow
man" act should be given that reference.
MIR. Rogers, of Arkansas, thought that
the resolution was premature. Ii called
upon to vote now he would vote against
the payment OF these claims. The Depart
ment OF Justice was dissatisfied with the
quasi judgment of the Court of Claims
but If the Supreme Court should settle the
question involved against the United
States, he would be guided by that final
decision, and vote for an appropriation to
meet ii.
The previous question was ordered-yeas
163, nays 81, aud the resolution was
adopted.
Mr.. White, OF New York, offered a reso.
luton requesting the Secretary of the In
terror to communicate to the House q
statement in detail of the plan of legisls.
| ton referred to IN his recent report to the
| President, and thought by him TO be neces-
sary for the disposal OF the public timber
lands so as TO secure at the same time the
| preservation of TIE natural forest lands at
the headwaters Of navigable rivers and put
| within the reach of settlers a legal means
| OF providing themselves with timber for
building their homes, fuel and other
| domestic purposes. Referred.
The following resolutions suggesting
changes in the rules were presented and
| referred to the Committee on Rules:
BY Mr.. Buckalow, of Pennsy lvania-For
| the appointment of select committee on
election OF President, Vice. President and
| Representatives of Congress.
BY Mr. Breckenridge. OF Arkansas PRO.
viding that all appropriations for snagging
operations, for the pay of regularly en-
| ployed officials and for other subjects not
otherwise provided for, shall be in q
Il 20 - H.
bill, and requiring estimates for the cost
of other than snaggiDg operations to
accompany the bill. All works other than
spaggiDg operations, of which the final cost
of completion Is less than $500, 900, may be
provided for in a separate bill, while every
other work which shall exceed that
amount must be embodied In a separate
bill, and 1t shall not be in order to make such
an appropriation unless the bill provides
for the completion of the work The
amendment also gives the river and harboI
bill the same privileges in the matter oil
consideration as is accorded the general ap'
Precipitation bills.
By Mr.. Brewer, OF MISUNDERSTANDING
the Speaker to appoint the committees
within two weeks Of the meeting of Con
gress.
Mr.. Groevenor, of Ohio, offered a resolu
ton calling on the Secretary of War for Z
statement OF the plan and scope OF th'
compilation OF the official records of thu
War Of the Rebellion, specifying any
change In arrangement, or subject mattel
90 be published from that followed while
the publication was in charge Of the lat
Lieutenant-Colone Scott; and also TO
copies OF all orders and communication
relating to permitting or refusing acces
to such portions OF the war records IS hav
been selected for publication. Referred.
The House then adjourned until TO
J morrow